Getting to explore, as extensively as I do, is a huge privilege. But to get the opportunity to explore a location as rich in history, and as in tact as this, is a pleasure I don’t get very often. This is North Pacific Cannery, and it was in operation for nearly 100 years, and provided canned salmon to people all around the world. In fact, this is the cannery that produced canned salmon for the Queen, and it was sent out with a special label called, Sovereign Sockeye. If we rewind time back to the 1930s, this was just one of many canneries in the area, but today it is the only intact and functional cannery left in North America. With more than 20 buildings, walking around and through this facility is like stepping back in time. At low tide you can walk under the buildings, because they are all on pilings, and you can find all kinds of treasures hidden amongst the rocks. At high tide you can look through the floorboards and see water flowing by beneath your feet. But what makes this place extraordinary, is that it was not just a business, it was a village. During the summer months of operation, this cannery was home to all of its employees, and with no road access in or out, they were stuck there for the whole season.
Life was certainly not easy for these people, and the segregation was drastic, but in that day and age it was not a bad life. It would definitely have been better that the life of a prospector during the gold rush days.
I learned a whole lot through the process of making this video, and it was an absolute pleasure getting to work with the folks that maintain the property.
If you enjoy this channel, and you would like to help me pursue these stories and preserve this history, please consider taking a look at the Patreon Page, or Merch line.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DestinationAdventure
Merch: https://destinationmerch.com/
31 Comments
Dood! You're getting to be such a fantastic producer and story teller.
Thanks so much for documenting important history and renewing my desire for adventure.
And good to see Mick. He's a frigging genius!
Keep exploring brother!!!
A video like this means a lot to the people of Prince Rupert and Port Edward. Thank-you for documenting Mona’s story and the stories of so many others and for sharing in this magical place.
What a history our forefathers and mothers lived!!! Tough as nails they had to be! Well done youngman!
I love it when Mick makes a Cameo
Neat!
Love the labels at the end!
Totally off topic but Dustin have you checked out a Reaction Ferry? Apparently British Columbia has has a number of them. Water currents and a cable natural go back and forth across the river without any power or motor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_ferry
Mic the man
Poor Mick.
I must apologize, nobody invited me to see Port Alberni like this before, I must admit I saw the video's in reverse and should have seen this one before the other. Port Alberni is a beautiful place, full of history and people, I hope to see these places for myself one day. Canadians need this channel, so grateful and thankful for your work. You've left me very emotional. Omg WOW!
Wow !, just wow !. This is such a well filmed documentary and also, as an Englishman, another example of how wealthy English people took advantage of other nations to extract any resource that they had for greed and profit. I never knew any of this and feel ashamed of it.
It’s incredible how the work was divided out between the First Nations people and then the Japanese migrants for different tasks, and then the “European” managers, who lived on the “other side of the tracks”…., very saddening but also very enlightening. Thank you Dustin, your work is amazing.
Thank you for sharing this piece of history. In the late 1800's, my family came to BC from Japan and worked as fishermen along the West Coast (Steveston and Great Northern Cannery in West Vancouver).
The quality of the video, music, scenery, use of camera, are awesome. Perfect job mate
Starting with a cs of Molson is always a good start to any day or video!!
Great Work as always Dustin!! Absolutely fantastic video to watch – Learn something new everyday!!
The little mick skits are getting better every time. Would be cool to see a hole adventure with you two.
You do a great job on your Adventure Videos, iam enjoying every video, there are to many YouTube videos that are junk, keep up the great work, And remember Take only photos and only leave footprints, Ron Johnson, Little Rock Arkansas
22:20 that doesn’t say “iron butcher” 🤔😳
Hey why didn’t they sell salmon at the company store?? Because nobody wanted it?
What’s up with that?
I miss prince rupert, imagine what it was like 100 years ago during salmon season on the Inverness slough with all the action on the river.. wish I could have experienced it
Absolutely loved hearing these stories. Keep up the great videos Dusin.
Justin, you might want to check out Oona River on Porcher Island. There is a working saw mill there that supplied wood for the decks etc at some of the canneries on the North Coast. Carl Bergman is the owner. I'm sure he would be pleased to show you around and tell stories. Ken at Ocean Pacific will have his contact info.
Ive been to this Cannery b4. Cool
I like how Mick breaks the fourth wall a la Deadpool and looks at the camera. 🤣
did you learn they fished the place dry so the queen could have her salmon? now we dont have any. biggest problem in america is all of our best products go abroad and we get the leftovers. its a fact. my mother in law worked in the orchards at harvest time, they pack all the big best apples in crates and send them to england. so, again, the american people get the waste so the rich can capitalize.
Dustin; We have been binge watching your videos from your very first upload, and unfortunately have caught up to your latest video. We follow a lot of travel vloggers as well as urban explorers, but there's something special about the way you film/narrate/edit your stuff. It is very entertaining and very relaxing and we hope you keep posting.
Thank you so much for the hard work you do, and giving us something forward to look for each night.
Stay safe!
Love the copy of yourself! That is some fine editing, I SUB…. Peaceman
Absolutely Fascinating !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha ha ha I love your opening skits 😂❤of course the stories afterward and visuals are so interesting and captivating ..I can recall viewing your first upload and I must say your efforts have vastly improved..incredible work ❤
This video is amazing. Born and raised in Kitimat I've never been here. Just wow. Thank you
Wauw what an interesting and professional documentary! 👌Subscribed